Press Release: Enhancing Asia-Europe cooperation on energy security: Commission hosts First ASEM Energy Ministerial meeting

The 1st ASEM Energy Ministerial Meeting was hosted by European Commissioners for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner and for Energy, Andris Piebalgs in Brussels on 18 June, 2009. Foreign and Energy Ministers from Asia and Europe discussed a range of topics related to international energy policy like improving energy policies, sustainable energy choices, and global energy markets and trade. Based on the 7th ASEM Summit in Beijing last year as well as on the Energy Security Forum held in Hanoi in April 2008 participants will look into possible ways for enhancing Asia-Europe cooperation to address common energy security challenges. At the same time Ministers will work on preparations for the 8th ASEM Summit in October 2010 in Brussels.